To Know A Place

Pay attention.

The past few weeks I have watched my Dad wonder off, have his attention captured and pull out his phone to document it. He then returns to share what he has discovered;

Seaweed bouquets strewn along the beach

Pebbles on a kelp head, resembling a snake

The most delicate curves of a mushroom

A theory that chanterelle mushrooms form underneath a tree with a specific bark pattern

This way of seeing was nurtured in me since a child and using it for photography has been a natural unfolding and an added bonus, because I get to share what I see.

Walking the length of one of my favourite beaches with my brother and showing him why I love it, I caught myself telling him where the sun sets at different times of the year. It got me thinking about how integrated with the nature we can become when we actively notice and spend time in a place.

I know what beach to go to at different times of the year to experience the full glory of a sunset. To see the sun dipping into the sea and disappearing for the night.

I know how different a landscape is going to look and what access will be granted depending on the tides.

Become so intimate with a space that you can see the patterns, the way it is going to move that day. And at the same time, always being surprised.

Because light never hits the same way twice. It’s always casting it’s glow on something new to discover. A new way of seeing things, a new reflection.

And nature? Well, she is never stagnant. She is always moving and cycling. Each day there is something different to see.

I think of Mary Oliver the American Poet, a lot. How much time she must have spent in nature, how many hours spent sitting in one place simply noticing. No internet, no phone, just natures coming and goings as the ultimate entertainment, delight and friend. What a simple and beautiful way to live.

When I question my “Purpose” and get all caught up in ego and what I am doing with my life, I like to return to this quote to ground me in it’s truth and simplicity.

'Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.' - Mary Oliver

And I would like to add to the above - “Never be chill about it”.

In the past two and a half years we have lived in three different homes. We are coming up to the one year mark at our current home, the longest we have lived in one place since moving to Vancouver Island.

I believe one of the most intimate and beautiful things you can learn about a home or a place is where the light touches. Where it begins and ends throughout the day and then creating your home around the light.

There’s the morning coffee spot.

The journalling spot.

The mid day lunch break spot.

The afternoon nap spot with the windows open.

The post day job, golden hour creative session spot options - front lawn, back lawn or office.

And in the fall these spots will all shift. Where I start and end my day in our home will change, because where the sun rises and sets, and the time of those moments, all changes.

When we actively take the time to pay attention, to stare out my window, to sit by the shore or be “present” on your usual dog walk route, we feel at peace. We feel filled up. We feel connected deeply to ourself and in relationship with something so much bigger than us.

There is no lack when you’re in awe, wonder and discovery.

Being in tune with light and nature is such a beautiful way to live.

Love Jessie

xx